Definition
出乎意料 is a fixed four-character expression meaning 'beyond expectation' or 'unexpectedly'. It is often used as a predicate (这件事情出乎意料) or as an adverbial at the start of a clause (出乎意料的是...). It can also take an object with 令, as in 令人出乎意料 'to surprise someone'.
v.o.
unexpectedbeyond expectationagainst expectation
Examples
- 出乎意料。Zhège jiéguǒ zhēn lìng wǒ chū hū yì liào.This result really caught me by surprise.
- 出乎意料，。chū hū yì liào de shì, tā jūrán méi chídào.Unexpectedly, he actually wasn't late.
- 出乎意料。Shìqing de fāzhǎn wánquán chū hū yì liào.The development of events was completely unexpected.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.